The view from the snowcaps: Weathering winter in the mountains

WHEATLAND – While snow has come and gone recently, there’s a place nearby where winter doesn’t leave as easily.

Nestled among the Laramie Mountains is the homestead of Bonnie Parker, who has seen an impressive 42 inches of snow this year as of April 18 as a result of the unseasonal snowstorms.

She and her partner of 17 years, George Portwood, own a ranch on the base of Bear Head Mountain. Portwood and Parker effectively retired from ranching last summer because of the fire and drought, selling off their cattle.

“We decided it was too much to rebuild barns and corrals, and to replace the haying equipment…it seemed silly,” she said.